Israel ends airstrike case; Palestinians critical

JERUSALEM (AP) — A Gaza rights group is criticizing Israel's military prosecutor for deciding not to press charges in an airstrike that killed a dozen Palestinian civilians during a November offensive against Hamas militants.

The Palestinian Center for Human Rights said Sunday that the military prosecutor's office informed it that Israel's army did not violate the laws of war or commit any criminal acts in the attack.

The group charged that the Israeli decision showed its inquiry was a "smokescreen" to provide "systematic cover for widespread violations of international law."

Israel launched its offensive in Gaza to stop Palestinian rocket barrages. During the fighting, an Israeli airstrike hit the home of the Daloo family in Gaza City, killing 10 family members and two other civilians. Israel said it was aiming at militants.